Hand Picked Chefs Academy

Hand Picked Chefs Academy was created in 2011 to offer Apprentice Chefs the opportunity to join Hand Picked Hotels while experiencing ‘real life’ in a kitchen environment and working towards an NVQ Level 2 qualification.  

We have chosen to work alongside Babcock Training, a national provider of NVQ qualifications to assist with the delivery of the apprenticeship.  We have a talented brigade of Chefs within Hand Picked Hotels who bring a wealth of experience, creativity and flare to our cuisine.  It is working alongside these Chefs while gaining a qualification that our Apprentices will develop as a Hand Picked Chef and have the opportunity to learn a craft that can provide them with a life long career as an accomplished individual within the hospitality industry.

Babcock Training

Babcock Training are the largest apprenticeship provider in the UK.  They currently work with 6,000 employers and 20,000 learners. 40% of the 6,000 employers are in the hospitality industry with 16,000 learners within hospitality

They have invested a lot of time into supporting Chefs Academies within the industry.

The Apprenticeship

The Apprenticeship involves working a 40 hour week within a hotel kitchen.  An assessor from Babcock Training works with the Apprentice and the Head Chef to ensure they are completing all criteria for the achievement of an NVQ Level 2.

Three times a year the Apprentices will attend workshops that will enhance their knowledge within the kitchen and allow them to share their experiences with each other. 

Currently we have the following hotels taking part in the HPH Chefs Academy:

New Hall Hotel

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa

Hendon Hall

Brandshatch Hotel & Spa

‘Since I joined the team at Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa in October 2011 I have been shadowing the Kitchen brigade and assisting them with prep work and various tasks. I also assisted with covering some Kitchen Porter shifts which helped me to understand the role they play in the Kitchen and in completing multiple tasks to tight deadlines. I am really enjoying being part of the team and the exposure to cooking quality food with fresh ingredients that I am gaining. I am now looking forward to obtaining my Basic Food Hygiene Qualification in the next couple of weeks and all that I will learn whilst I am working with the team during the busy Christmas period’ - Mark Mesnard, Brandshatch Place.